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Author Interviews

“Eakes has a charming way of making her novels come to life without being over the top,” writes Romantic Times of bestselling, award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes. Since she lay in bed as a child telling herself stories, she has fulfilled her dream of becoming a published author, with a degree in English and French from Asbury University and a master’s degree in writing fiction from Seton Hill University contributing to her career path. Now she has nearly two dozen books in print, all historical romance thus far, with her first contemporary women’s fiction coming out in December.

Carre Gardner writes from the big small town of Portland, Maine, where she’s the mom of 3 teenagers and 2 dogs she would rather not own. (Only the dogs, not the teenagers.) From 2007 to 2010, she and her family lived in Russia, studying the language and doing humanitarian work.

Like most writers, Carre grew up with her a book always in her hand. The heroines she admired most were smart, creative, independent thinkers like Anne Shirley, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew, and Cherry Ames. Nancy proved that being a girl detective might just be the coolest career ever, but Cherry taught her that nursing was more practical. Carre compromised by becoming a nurse and marrying a sleuth.

Nearly every flat surface in Carre’s home has books on it. The stories she loves most are those about the ordinary lives of ordinary people; she thinks of every life as a fascinating drama. Isn’t each one of us the hero of our own story? She’d love for you to drop her a line and tell her yours!

Called “the suspense author everyone is talking about” by Family Fiction Edge magazine, Zachary Bartels is the author of critically acclaimed supernatural thrillers. An award-winning preacher and Bible teacher, Zachary has been serving as pastor of Judson Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan, for ten years. He enjoys film, fine cigars, stimulating conversation, gourmet coffee, reading, writing, and cycling.

His debut novel, Playing Saint, has been called an “intrigue-filled thriller” (Library Journal) and “a page-turner from the very beginning . . . gripping and realistic” (RT Book Reviews) and is a finalist for the 2015 Inspys and Carol Awards. His follow-up, The Last Con (HarperCollins Christian Fiction) “ will leave readers stunned” (RT Book Reviews).

Zachary is represented by Credo Communications (www.credocommunications.net). You can find more information about Zachary (as well as follow his blog, twitter, and facebook) at his website.

Best-selling author Margaret Brownley has penned more than thirty-five novels. Her books have won numerous awards, and she’s a former Romance Writers of American RITA® finalist. She’s also written for a TV soap. She’s currently working on the third book in her Undercover Ladies series. Not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don’t ask her to diagram a sentence.

Misty M. Beller was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and two daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sandra Orchard is an award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense and mysteries with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. Her titles have garnered three Canadian Christian Writing Awards and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Sandra has also received a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. In addition to her busy writing schedule, Sandra enjoys speaking at events and teaching writing workshops. She lives in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about Sandra’s books and check out the special bonus features, such as deleted scenes and location pics, at her website.

Elizabeth Maddrey began writing stories as soon as she could form the letters properly and has never looked back. Though her practical nature and love of math and organization steered her into computer science for college and graduate school, she has always had one or more stories in progress to occupy her free time. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books and has mastered the art of reading while undertaking just about any other activity. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace.
Elizabeth lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. with her husband and their two incredibly active little boys. She invites you to interact with her at her website or on Facebook.

Christine Johnson is the author of several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired and has been twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award. When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God’s majestic creation. She and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys.

Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now the author of “medical suspense with heart.” He is a former Vice-President of ACFW, as well as a member of International Thriller Writers, Christian Authors Network, and Romance Writers of America. His debut novel, Code Blue, was a 2010 Semi-finalist for the International Thriller Writers’ debut novel; subsequent novels have been finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award. Lethal Remedy was a 2012 Selah Award winner. Fatal Trauma is his eighth romantic medical suspense novel.

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in Hope through her novels and novellas, speaking for women’s events and retreats, writers’ events and retreats, nonfiction books and devotionals, drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry. Her books have been recognized by RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Selah Awards, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Christian Retailing’s BEST Awards, and Carol Award nominations, among other honors, including a Family Fiction Readers’ Choice Award. As of 2015, she will have a total of fifteen books on the shelves, with more contracted. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

Cheryl Williford is a multi-published author born in San Antonio, Texas. She is married to Henry, her childhood sweetheart, has three children and eight grandchildren. Cheryl helped raise several grandchildren before she began to write devotionals, short stories, anthologies and Christian books. She is a member of ACFW, the CWG and moderator of ACFW’s critique group, Golden Girls. Genealogy, water coloring and quilting are her hobbies

Morgan L. Busse writes fantasy for the adult market. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, including Daughter of Light, a Christy and Carol Award finalist, and Son of Truth. Morgan lives on the west coast with her husband and four children.

Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee finally settled in central Kentucky with her family so that she could enjoy the beautiful changing of the seasons. She enjoys the roller-coaster ride thrills that life with a National Guard husband, a teenaged daughter, and two elementary aged sons delivers.

A prolific writer, when she’s not penning novels, you will find her in the kitchen, which she considers the ‘heart of the home’. Her passion for cooking spurred her to launch a whole food, real food “Parody” cookbook series. In addition to nutritious, Biblically grounded recipes, readers will find that each cookbook also confronts some controversial aspect of secular pop culture.

Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. She prays her work here on earth is a blessing to you.

Hillary Manton Lodge is the author of Reservations for Two, A Table by the Window, Plain Jayne (a Carol Award Finalist), and Simply Sara (an ECPA bestselling book). A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, Hillary discovered the world of cuisine during her internship at Northwest Palate magazine. A storyteller at heart, in her free time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, watching foreign films, and exploring new walking trails. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon

Allison Pittman is the award-winning author of 12 novels, including the Christy finalist Sister Wife Series, and Carol Award winner Stealing Home. She serves as the president of her local ACFW chapter, and leads another multi-genre writing group. She and her husband Mike live in San Antonio, Texas, with a nest that is quickly emptying.

Dana is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner and the author of more than 20 Christian fiction books. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet.

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, artist, theater director, and playwright. Paper Hearts is her fourth novel. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer,, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. She has written two additional books in the Sweethaven series, as well as two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives in Illinois where she and her husband own a performing and visual arts studio. They have three children.

Marian grew up in south Louisiana in a small community south of New Orleans, Louisiana. Her love for the written word began while sitting on her grandparent’s front porch swing reading books. The stories allowed her to meet interesting people, took her to far away places and challenged her to think beyond her own world. Her desire to write about the South keeps her grounded in her roots and the hope that one day she can do for someone what many of the authors of her childhood did for her.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Women’s Fiction Writers Association. She hones her writing skills by attending writer’s conferences/retreats and reading many books on the craft of writing.

Marian writes from her home in Colorado, which she shares with her husband and a labradoodle named Chili.

While this bayou girl loves the mountains and, most of the time, the snow, her Southern roots won’t let her wear white after Labor Day. She still says y’all and can make a killer roux. She misses her family, fresh seafood, Cajun cooking, and King cakes. Proof that you can take the girl out of the South, but not the southern out of the girl!

Freelance writer, author, and professional speaker Julie B. Cosgrove leads retreats, workshops, and Bible studies. She writes regularly for several Christian websites and publications and has been published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul, Faith Filled Family Magazine, Upper Room’s Devozine and Alive Now, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Power to Change, The Journey, and Good News Daily.

Besides ghostwriting and content editing for clients, Julie has personally published three Bible studies, an inspirational, a devotional and several novels - Focused (2012), Hush in the Storm (2014) and Legitimate Lies (2015) - and is under contract for Freed to Forgive (2015), Greener Grasses (2015) and Navy Blues (2016).

She is a member of North Texas Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers, American Christian Fiction Writers, ACFW DFW Chapter where she is the webmaster, Toastmasters International, Daughters of the King. Julie has one grown son and lives in Fort Worth, TX with two cats.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at her website

Laura Jackson loves books—reading and writing them. A life-long reader, Laura studied English in college and taught seventh-grade language arts before earning her Master’s degree and becoming a school librarian. Now, she spends her days sharing great books with kids and her evenings writing books about teenage girls discovering God and His plan for their lives.

Dianna T. Benson is the award-winning and international best-selling author of The Hidden Son and Final Trimester. Persephone’s Fugitive is her third release. An EMT and a HazMat and FEMA Operative since 2005, Dianna authentically implements her medical and rescue experience and knowledge into all her suspense novels. She’s the 2014 Selah Award Winner for Best Debut Novel, a 2011 Genesis Winner, a 2011 Genesis double Semi-Finalist, a 2010 Daphne de Maurier Finalist, and a 2007 Golden Palm Finalist. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and their three children.

Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded and nominated for numerous industry-leading honors, including the Christy Award, the RITA Award, the Carol Award, and Library Journal’s top distinction, among others. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Nashville, Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children, and a twelve pound Silky Terrier named Jack.

Mary Ellis has written twelve bestselling novels set in the Amish community. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate. Her debut Amish fiction was nominated for a 2010 Carol Award. Living in Harmony, book one of her last series, won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction. Love Comes to Paradise won the 2013 Lime Award. She is currently working on a three-book series of historical romances set during the Civil War for Harvest House Publishers. The Last Heiress released in February 2015.

Kariss Lynch writes contemporary fiction about characters with big dreams, hearts for adventure, and enduring hope. Shaken, her first book in the Heart of a Warrior series, released in 2014. The second book, Shadowed, releases March 3, 2015. A former freelance writer, she now works as the writer for a communications ministry in Dallas.

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and The Desert Princess, first in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Carol Heilman, a coal miner’s daughter, married her high school sweetheart, a farmer’s son. She began writing family stories, especially about her dad’s Appalachian humor, for newspapers and magazines. One day her mother said, “We don’t have any secrets anymore!”

Carol’s book, Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar, was inspired by her mother’s spunky spirit and her dad’s humor. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her husband of fifty-plus years. They love to play cards, go antiquing, hike, and visit grandsons on the east and west coasts.

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager.

She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle.

Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild).

Zoe M. McCarthy believes the little known fact that opposites distract. Thus, she spins Christian contemporary romances entangling extreme opposites. Her tagline is Distraction to Attraction, Magnetic Romances Between Opposites. A retired actuary, Zoe evaluated the financial risks for insurance companies. Christian Fiction Online Magazine published two of her short stories. Zoe has self-published two books of contemporary Christian short stories. She enjoys leading workshops on the craft of writing at JoyWriters, speaking about her faith, planning fun events for her 5 grandchildren, and exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she lives with her husband, John.

Mary Moore has been writing historical fiction for more than 15 years. After battling and beating breast cancer, Mary is even more excited about her career, as she incorporates some of her struggles throughout her books, dedicated to encouraging others in the Lord and using her writing for God’s glory.

Her debut novel, The Aristocrat’s Lady, won several acclaimed awards, including the 2011 Reviewers Choice Award by RT Magazine for Best Love Inspired Historical, and the 2011 Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers for Best Book by a Virginia Author. She also received an Award of Merit for Best First Book and Best Long Inspirational by the VRW.

Mary is a native of the Washington, DC area, but she and her husband, Craig, now live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia. When not writing, she loves to read, minister in her church, and spend time with her husband.

Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish romances for Harper Collins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire and historical romances for Zondervan. Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. To date, Shelley’s novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She’s also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degrees in educational administration. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and is an active member of her church. Shelley is active on Facebook, Twitter, and her website.

Janet Sketchley is a Canadian author with a passion for fiction. Like Carol in Secrets & Lies, she loves music and tea. Unlike Carol, Janet isn’t related to a dangerous offender, has a happy home life, and has never been threatened by a drug lord. May those tidbits continue to hold true! You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca. Christian suspense fans are invited to join her writing journey through her monthly newsletter: http://bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.

Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

Susan Sleeman is a best-selling author of inspirational and clean-read romantic suspense books. Her first book, High-Stakes Inheritance, was an ECPA bestseller. Award nominations include The Christmas Witness and No Way Out for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence. Additionally, Thread of Suspicion was given the 2013 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Best Book Award. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts the popular website TheSuspenseZone.com. She currently lives in Oregon but has lived in nine states. Her husband is a realtor and they have two daughters, a son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.

Deborah Malone’s first novel, Death in Dahlonega, finaled in ACFW’s Category Five writing contest. Deborah was nominated for 2012 and 2013 Georgia Author of the Year Award in Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine Georgia Backroads. She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in Tales of the Rails, edited by Olin Jackson. She is a current member of the Georgia Writer’s Association, Advanced Writers & Speakers Association, and the Georgia Authors Guild. A current member of ACFW, she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Robert Tate Miller was raised in the North Carolina mountain town of Hendersonville and began writing at an early age. He began his writing career with homespun essays of small town life that were published in such publications as Reader’s Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s and wrote successful family-oriented telefilms for NBC, ABC Family and the Hallmark Channel. Robert lives in Northridge, CA with his wife, Gina, and stepdaughter, Chloe June.

Cindy Loven, an avid reader all her life, is seeing her dreams fulfilled with the publication of her first novel, Swept Away, part of Abingdon’s Quilts of Love series. She co-authored this book with Laura V. Hilton. Born and raised in Arkansas, she loves her home state and is happy to live there with her husband of nearly twenty-nine years and her adult son. She and her family are very active in their local church, serving in many volunteer positions. She and her husband are very serious about informing parents about the dangers of the choking game, after loosing their youngest son to this dreadful ‘game’ in 2009. When not busy with church or her job as a “PR gal” for another author, you can find Cindy in her craft room,sewing, crocheting or making cards.

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two small children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of 9 historical novels and novellas, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her upcoming British series. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to make their way into her novels…to offset her real life, which is blessedly boring. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Kristy Cambron writes vintage-inspired, historical Christian fiction titles, which placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations & 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and finaled in the 2013 Lauries. She is the author of The Butterfly and the Violin, Book One in the Hidden Masterpiece series on the prisoner camp art of the Holocaust. A Sparrow in Terezin (Hidden Masterpiece #2) will release in April, 2015.

She’s a proud Hoosier, living in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.

Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi and is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum. But her heart is tuned to suspense. Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series—Shadows of the Past and A Promise to Protect—and Matthew’s Choice, a Heartwarming romance. Her workshops on writing include an online course with American Christian Fiction Writers and workshops at the Midsouth Christian Writer’s Conference in Collierville, TN. When she’s not writing, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

Jodie Bailey writes novels about freedom and the heroes who fight for it. Her novels include Freefall and Crossfire, from Love Inspired Suspense, as well as Quilted by Christmas, from Abingdon Press. Her devotions have appeared in Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. She is convinced a camping trip to the beach with her family, a good cup of coffee, and a great book can cure all ills. Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and two dogs.

Carrie Stuart Parks is an award-winning fine artist and internationally known forensic artist. She has spent the past two decades teaching law enforcement personnel across the USA and Canada how to catch killers, sexual predators and other unsavory characters on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list through forensic art. She also teaches cops “Content Statement Analysis,” which combines spotting verbal signs of deception and body language clues to find out when bad guys are lying. Mentored by New York Times best-selling author Frank Peretti, Carrie began writing fiction while battling stage II breast cancer. Now in remission, she continues to encourage other women struggling through the effects of cancer.

Marissa Shrock is a writer and language arts teacher who enjoys working with her fun seventh grade students. She is a graduate of Taylor University and has completed the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprentice, Journeyman, and Craftsman courses. She is a member of ACFW. Marissa has written articles for teens and adults in Evangel and Encounter. The First Principle is her debut novel.

In her spare time Marissa loves spending time with family and friends, shopping for cute clothes, traveling, baking, and playing golf.

Kimberly Rose Johnson holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two teenage sons, and their yellow lab. She writes sweet Christian romance for Heartsong Presents and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys taking long walks with her husband and dog, reading, dark chocolate and time with friends.

While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, Ane has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that’s a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and novelist. Her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for her Southern-fried fiction (try saying that three times fast). She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. President of the award-winning literary site Novel Rocket, Ane resides in Suwanee, GA, with her artist husband, her chef son, and two dogs of Biblical proportion. You can find Ane on her Southern-fried Fiction website, Google+, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Jennifer AlLee was born in Hollywood, California, and spent her first ten years living above a mortuary one block away from the famous intersection of Hollywood & Vine. Now she lives in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas, which just goes to prove she’s been blessed with a unique life. When she’s not busy spinning tales, she enjoys playing games with friends, attending live theater and movies, and singing at the top of her lungs to whatever happens to be playing on the car radio. Although she’s thrilled to be living out her lifelong dream of being a novelist, she considers raising her son to be her greatest creative accomplishment. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Christian Authors Network, and the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Her novels include The Pastor’s Wife, The Mother Road, A Wild Goose Chase Christmas, Last Family Standing, and the upcoming Vinnie’s Diner from Abingdon Press; Diamond in the Rough, Vanishing Act, and Curtain Call from Whitaker House and co-written with Lisa Karon Richardson; and the novella Comfort and Joy in the Christmas anthology Mistletoe Memories from Barbour. Visit her at www.jenniferallee.com and www.inkwellinspirations.com.

Anne Mateer has a passion for bringing history to life through fiction. She is the author of 4 historical novels as well as a contemporary short story in this fall’s Cup of Christmas Cheer II. Her novel Playing by Heart releases September 15. Anne and her husband of 27 years live in Texas and have three young adult children.

Jayme H. Mansfield—author, artist, and teacher—provides vivid imagery and a passionate voice as she melds her inspiring writing and artistic talents.

Her debut novel, Chasing the Butterfly, releases October 14, 2014, by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Wings and Succession follow to complete the compelling, literary journey. Her passion for weaving stories about God-loving women who find their strength in the Lord, continues in Rush, a historically compelling tale of the Oklahoma Land Rush in the late 1800’s.

Jayme has owned, operated, and shared the joy of creating visual art in the Piggy Toes Art Studio in Lakewood, Colorado for the past eighteen years. She provides art instruction to children and adults—growing a wide-reaching group of aspiring artists by word of mouth and the studio website. Jayme’s interest in her artists expands past the paint and paper. Instead, she invites her students, especially women, to discover talents, rejoice in blessings, and find a peace that is often compromised in the hectic pace of life.

After a career in both the business and creative sides of advertising, Jayme received her teaching and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and Creative Arts. She has taught elementary school for seventeen years and shares a deep passion for literacy and the writing process. Her advanced writing experience has developed under the expertise and mentorship program in the Christian Writer’s Guild. She completed the Craftsman program, the highest level of instruction, in a four-year period and received the honor of placing in the Top Ten Semi-Finalists in the 2011 Operation First Novelist Contest with Chasing the Butterfly.

Blessed with a beautiful family—a husband, three boys, and a menagerie of pets, Jayme has continued to chase her dreams, find adventure, and grow a passionate heart for writing with an ever-present artistic flair.

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author, speaker, and partner with Nerium International in the anti-aging skin care industry. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. She is a work-at-home mom with two children, and a vivacious Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. She has released/contracted fourteen books so far , the latest being A Grand Design, and she is represented by agent Sandra Bishop. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the author of the bestselling romantic suspense novels Silenced; Stranded, winner of the 2014 Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense; Shattered, multi-award winner including Christian Retailing’s Best Award 2014 Winner; and Submerged, winner of the 2013 Holt Medallion for First Novel and the Colorado Romance Writers 2013 Award of Excellence. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

Mary L. Hamilton grew up at a Christian camp much like the setting for her Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series for tweens. Hear No Evil, Book 1 in the series, was a 2012 Genesis Semi-finalist. When she’s not writing, Mary enjoys the outdoors and nature. She also opens her home to weekly teen Bible studies, pancake suppers, and breakfasts with her special recipe waffles. Mary and her husband live in the Houston, TX area within range of their three grown children.

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, and In Perfect Time in the Wings of the Nightingale series from Revell. On Distant Shores received second place in the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards from both CAN and AWSA, and Sarah received the 2011 Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in northern California with her husband and three children. When she isn’t ferrying kids to soccer and tennis, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies.

Jerusha Agen is a lifelong lover of story—a passion that has led her to a B.A. in English and a highly varied career. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Jerusha is the author of the Sisters Redeemed Series, which includes the titles This Dance, This Shadow, and This Redeemer. Jerusha co-authored the e-books A Ruby Christmas and A Dozen Apologies from Write Integrity Press.

Jerusha is also a screenwriter, and several of her original scripts have been produced as films. In addition, Jerusha is a film critic, with reviews featured at the website www.RedeemerReviews.com.

Award winning author Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and homeschools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love. A non-Amish book, Swept Away, will release November 2014 from Abingdon Press. She is contracted for another three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, begins in November 2014 with The Snow Globe, The Postcard in June 2015, and The Bird House in September 2015, and A White Christmas in Webster County (Amish) releasing in September 2014. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

Cindy Thomson is a writer and an avid genealogy enthusiast. Her love of history and her Scots-Irish heritage have inspired much of her writing, including her new Ellis Island series. Cindy is also the author of Brigid of Ireland and Celtic Wisdom: Treasures from Ireland. She combined her love of history and baseball to co-author the biography Three Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story, which was a finalist for the Society for American Baseball Research’s Larry Ritter Book Award. In addition to books, Cindy has written on a regular basis for numerous online and print publications and is a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Cindy and her husband have three grown sons and live in central Ohio.

Best selling author Vickie McDonough has been an ACFW member since April, 2001. She served as the past ACFW Critique Group Coordinator and as ACFW’s treasurer for three years. Vickie helped co-found WIN, ACFW’s first local
chapter in 2005 and served as the group’s first treasurer. Vickie is a moderator and resident blogger of the Christian Fiction Historical Society, a member of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and CROWN Marketing Group, NINC, Sisters in Crime, and the founder of 19th Century Writers, a research-based loop for historical writers.

An award-winning author of over 30 historical fiction and contemporary romance novels and novellas, Vickie makes her home in Oklahoma with her husband of 38 years. They have four grown sons and one daughter-in-law, and they enjoy having a feisty eight-year-old granddaughter.

Rebecca DeMarino lives in the Pacific Northwest, and inherited her love of baking and gardening from her mother, a love of horses, reading and writing from her dad, and a wanderlust gene from both parents. No one knows where she got her passion for jogging and hiking! A Place in His Heart is a historical romance inspired by her ninth great-grandparents, Barnabas and Mary Horton, and is book one of The Southold Chronicles.

Married 25 years to her own real-life hero, Lisa Jordan knows a thing or two about romance. She and her husband have two young adult sons. By day, Lisa is an early childhood educator. By night, she is an award-winning novelist for Love Inspired, writing stories that promise hope and happily ever after. In her free time, she enjoys good books, romantic comedies, crafting with friends, and feeding her NCIS addiction.

Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers write to reveal God through story. They were born into a writing family, and began at an early age critiquing manuscripts for their mother, Newbery winner Betsy Byars. They went on to become authors of more than thirty-five children’s novels. Their first book for adults, The Shepherd’s Song, was released by Howard Books in March 2014. They live in Georgia.

Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of five novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.”

She launched her writing career in 2002 when she earned the coveted honor of attending the Guidepost’s Writers Workshop in Rye, New York. Since then she’s had numerous magazine and anthology articles published. Carla was the 2011 trophy winner of the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc. “Best Book of Fiction”, an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award (Faith, Hope, and Love) finalist in 2011 and winner in 2012, a two-time Genesis winner, and an Oklahoma Book Award finalist four times. She and her husband live in Tulsa and have four adult sons and six grandchildren (with one on the way!).

Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. All of their children have been adopted internationally and one has special needs. Her novella Under His Wings appeared in the New York Times bestselling collection A Log Cabin Christmas. Her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips, released in August of 2013. Daisies Are Forever released in May 2014. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her website & blog at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@LizTolsma). She is also a regular contributor to the Barn Door blog.

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband live a full life with four children, a Maltese Menace, and a retired military working dog in Northern Virginia. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook, Twitter (@roniekendig), Goodreads , and Pinterest!

James L. Rubart is the best-selling and Christy award winning author of Rooms, Book of Days, The Chair, Soul’s Gate, Memory’s Door, and Spirit Bridge. During the day he runs Barefoot Marketing which helps businesses and authors make more coin of the realm. In his free time he dirt bikes, hikes, golfs, takes photos, and occasionally does sleight-of-hand. No, he doesn’t sleep much. He lives with his amazing wife and two sons in the Pacific Northwest and still thinks he’s young enough to water ski like a madman.

Debby Mayne has published more than 30 books and novellas, 400 print short stories and articles, more than 1,000 web articles, and a slew of devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor for Long Ridge Writers Group, and a copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. For the past eight years, she has judged the Writer’s Digest Annual Competition, Short-Short Contest, and Self-Published Book Competition. Debby also writes etiquette articles for About.com.

Laura Jackson loves books—reading and writing them. After graduating with a BA in English and history, she taught 7th grade language arts for eight years and fell in love with YA books. Wanting to share her passion for books with more kids, she earned a Master of Library Science degree. During the day, she shares stories with kids as a school librarian in a Houston, TX, suburb. At night, she works on her own stories. Winner of the March 2014 Clash of the Titles, Worth the Wait is her debut novel.

Rebecca Waters draws on her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother as well as her vast experience as an educator and researcher for her writing. Rebecca sees writing as both a gift and a ministry. Although she has published in professional journals in the field of education, Rebecca now turns her pen to the world of fiction. She has published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Lookout Magazine, and Home Health Aide Digest. Breathing On Her Own is her debut novel.

Sarah Price is an Amazon Top 100 Author for Books and eBooks: December 2012, January 2013, February 2013, April 2013, May 2013, August 2013 and September 2013.

The Preiss family emigrated from Europe in 1705, settling in Pennsylvania as the area’s first wave of Mennonite families. Sarah has always respected and honored her ancestors through exploration and research about her family history and their religion. At nineteen, she befriended an Amish family and lived on their farm throughout the years.

Twenty-five years later, she now splits her time between her husband and children in the NYC Metro area and a home that she shares with an Amish woman in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she retreats to reflect and write.

A masterful storyteller, Sarah prides herself on presenting an authentic Amish experience to her readers. Many of her stories are based on actual people she has met and her own experiences living among the Amish over the years. She started out as an Indie author but has recently signed on with Realms, an imprint of Charisma House.

Award-winning author Myra Johnson writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. She is a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award finalist and winner of the Romance Writers of America 2005 Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters and are also grandparents of four rambunctious grandsons and three precious granddaughters. Although Myra is proud to claim “Native Texan” status, she and her husband of nearly 43 years now reside in North Carolina, where they share their home with a couple of pampered pooches. Myra writes full-time and currently serves as president of ACFW-Charlotte Chapter.

D. L. Koontz was born in Pennsylvania but now, with her husband, splits her time between mountainous West Virginia and their cattle ranch in coastal plains Georgia. She has a son and a step-daughter. She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors), and is a former journalist, business consultant, spokesperson, and college instructor. She has been writing since she penned an award-winning poem in fifth grade.

Norma has had a love-affair with words since she first learned to read. She served eight years as a Discussion Leader in Bible Study Fellowship and has led women’s Bible studies at her church for the last ten years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in The Secret Place.

Norma is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, and New Mexico Christian Novelists. Land of My Dreams, a contemporary Christian romance, is her first work of fiction. It is scheduled for release on April 22nd.

She loves the mountains and enjoys tackling 4x4 trails in her Jeep. She is a former RN and homeschool/soccer mom who loves family research, history, and Scotland. She and her husband of 37 years are the parents of two adult children. They make their home in the mountains outside Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lillian is a multi-published writer who writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

When Christina Rich was younger, she tried to dig herself to China, loved Three Billy Goats Gruff, and had an obsession with maps. She gave up her dig to China but still jumps at the chance to travel even if it’s just down the road. She loves watching modern takes of fairy tales and mythologies on the big screen and still has a huge obsession with maps. The older, the better.

Born and raised in Kansas, where she currently lives with her husband and children, Christina loves to read stories with happily ever afters, research, take photos, knit scarves, dig into her ancestry, fish, visit the ocean, write stories with happily ever afters and talk about her family and Jesus. Her debut, The Guardian’s Promise from Love Inspired Historical, releases March 2014.

Lynette Eason is the best selling, award winning author of the Women of Justice Series, the Deadly Reunions series and the newly released Hidden Identity Series.She writes for Revell and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the 2013 Carol Award for When a Heart Stops in the Romantic Suspense category. Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

Pam Hillman was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn’t afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove the Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of! Claiming Mariah is her second novel.

Cara Putman is the award-winning author of 16 novels and one non-fiction title with more books on the way. She is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, adjunct faculty at a community college, homeschooling mama, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids. She lives in Indiana with her family. You can learn more about Cara and her books at www.caraputman.com.

Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction because she loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

Paula Mowery is a published author, acquisitions editor, and speaker. Her first two published works were The Blessing Seer and Be The Blessing from Pelican Book Group. Both are women’s fiction, and their themes have been the topics of speaking engagements. In November 2013, her first romance released in the anthology Brave New Century from Prism Book Group, Her first solo romance, Legacy and Love, releases in March of 2014. Reviewers of her writing characterize it as “thundering with emotion.” Her articles have appeared in Woman’s World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living.

As an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group, Paula particularly looks for romance stories with Christian values at its core. She’s especially attracted to those manuscripts that leave the reader mulling over the story long after turning the last page.

Having been an avid reader of Christian fiction, she now puts that love to use by writing book reviews. She is a member of ACFW and is on the Featured Author Interview Team.

Paula is a pastor’s wife and mom to a first year college student. She homeschooled her daughter through all twelve years, and they both lived to tell about it. Before educating her daughter at home, she was an English teacher in public school.

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Besides landing her first contract for her Buried Treasure series with Barbour’s Heartsong Mysteries and a dozen or so books in print, Lisa Lickel writes feature newspaper articles, short stories, radio theater, and has a series of early reader historicals, First Children of Farmington. She is the editor-in-chief of Creative Wisconsin magazine and loves to encourage new authors. Lickel, who holds a BS in history from the University of Wisconsin, is also an avid book reviewer and blogger, a freelance editor, a writing mentor, and writing workshop leader. She is married to a high school biology teacher, and they have two sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and a grand-kitty.

Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long love affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries and can’t seem to leave them out of anything she writes. She left them behind for a bit in college and studied history and sociology at Northwestern University and earned a Master’s degree in marketing from there as well. After a few years working in marketing and a few moves, including stops in England and Ireland, Katherine and her family now reside in Seattle, WA, where she spends her days running, writing, cooking and trying to clean the house and keep up with the laundry.
You can also find Katherine athttp://www.katherinereay.com on Twitter @katherine_reay as well as lurking somewhere within the pages of her first novel, Dear Mr. Knightley. She’s also lurking in her second novel, Lizzy and Jane, but you can’t find her there until November 2014.

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, past Vice-President of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and the author of six published novels of medical suspense, which have won multiple awards. You can learn more about Richard at his website, rmabry.com. He can be found on GoodReads, Twitter, and on Facebook, where his fan page is “rmabrybooks.”

Diana Wallis Taylor, an award winning author, has completed her fifth book of Biblical Fiction. She has written three other books of fiction and a book of poetry. Along with her books, her writing has appeared in various compilation books and magazines. Diana recently completed an Easter cantata, “Glorious”, with her fellow collaborator, Carolyn Prentice, who did the music. Diana lives with her husband Frank in San Diego, California. where she serves on the Board of the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild. She enjoys speaking and sharing her heart with women of all ages.

Melissa Tagg is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at her website.

Award winning author Kathryn J. Bain’s fifth book, Beautiful Imperfection, was released September 29, 2013. Her book Catch Your Breath took Third Place in the 2013 Heart of Excellence Contest for Inspirational Romance and Breathless took First Place for Inspirational Romance in the 2010 Royal Palm Literary Awards.

She was the President of Florida Sisters in Crime from 2010-2012 and is currently the Public Relations Director for Ancient City Romance Authors. Kathryn has also been a paralegal for over twenty years and works for an attorney who specializes in elder law.

Born in Spokane, Washington, Kathryn grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In 1981, she moved to Boise, but it apparently wasn’t far enough south because two years later she headed to Jacksonville, Florida and has lived in the sunshine ever since.

Central Arkansas author Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. She lives in a town with a population of around 100, if you count a few cows. Vannatter won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award in the short contemporary category, The 18th Annual Heartsong Awards 3rd Favorite New Author and #1 Contemporary Award. Learn more about Shannon and her books at her website and check out her real life romance blog . Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. Her novel Falling to Pieces was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner for best mystery. She writes Amish mysteries for Zondervan, Amish romances for Harvest House and Amish novellas for Abingdon. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. Chapman lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband.

Shannon McNear has been writing one thing or another since third grade and finished her first novel at age fifteen—but it would be more than thirty years before she’d receive her first book contract. In the meantime, she graduated from high school, attended college, met and married her husband, birthed nine children, lost one, taught five to drive, revised that first story innumerable times, and completed six others.

A Midwestern farm girl transplanted more than 20 years ago to Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history, especially the colonial era, but is currently preparing for the impending shock of a move to North Dakota. She’s a homeschooling mother, military wife, and a member of ACFW, RWA, and My Book Therapy. When not sewing, researching, and leaking story from her fingertips, she finds joy in worship, women’s ministry, and encouraging whoever God brings across her path.

Her historical romance novella, Defending Truth,.released September 2013 as part of A Pioneer Christmas Collection

Maggie Brendan (aka Brenda Lott) paints with words. It is impossible to extract a page or two from any of her books and not see the brush strokes, the picturesque backgrounds, the quintessential glance of a daydreaming bride, like in Perfectly Matched, the final book in the Blue Willow Brides series that released in October. Brendan’s specialty is historical romances set in the Old West.

Brendan was a finalist for The Maggie Award of Excellence, The Heart of Excellence Award for her novel Twice Promised for 2013, and a finalist for Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award in 2012.

She is a CBA Bestselling author, member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; The Author’s Guild; Romance Writers of America, Faith, Hope and Love; and Georgia Romance Writers.

Elizabeth Byler Younts is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She is an Air Force officer’s wife and a homeschooling mom with two young daughters. She makes her home wherever her family is stationed. Elizabeth was Amish as a child and after her parents left the church she still grew up among her Amish family and continues to speak Pennsylvania Dutch.

Jennifer AlLee was born in Hollywood, California, and spent her first ten years living above a mortuary one block away from the famous intersection of Hollywood & Vine. Now she lives in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas, which just goes to prove she’s been blessed with a unique life. A multi-published author, she’s worked with four different publishing houses in the genres of Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance, and Historical Romance. When she’s not busy spinning tales, she enjoys playing games with friends, attending live theater and movies, and singing at the top of her lungs to whatever happens to be playing on the car radio.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her 22 published novels.

When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?

She gives back to the writing community by serving as Executive Director for ACFW. Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. Her latest are The Governess of Highland Hall, Snowflake Sweethearts, A Man To Trust, and Surrendered Hearts. Carrie lives in New Jersey with her husband Scott who is a pastor, speaker, and the author of several parenting books. When she is not writing she likes to travel with Scott on ministry trips and to visit their kids and grandkids, work in her flower gardens, and cook healthy meals for family and friends.

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-four books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household.

Winnie Griggs is a multi-published author who writes for Love Inspired Historical. Her writing has garnered enthusiastic reviews and numerous awards, including a recent RT Reviewer’s Choice Award.

Winnie spent her childhood in an area her friends thought of as the very back of beyond. She and her two younger siblings spent many an hour exploring the overgrown land around her home, cutting jungle trails, building forts and frontier camps, and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou. Once she ‘grew up’ she found other outlets for dealing with all those wonderful, adventurous imaginary friends by filling notebooks with their stories.

Eventually she found her own Prince Charming, a rancher whose white steed is disguised as a tractor and whose kingdom is nestled in a small rural community she happily calls home. Together they’ve built their own storybook happily-ever-after, including four now grown children who share Winnie’s vivid imagination and her husband’s steadier influences and who are now out in the world pursuing their own adventures.

Lisa Wingate is a magazine columnist, inspirational speaker, and the author of nineteen mainstream fiction novels, including the national bestseller Tending Roses, now in its nineteenth printing. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her novel Blue Moon Bay was a Booklist Top Ten of 2012 pick. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.

Deborah Raney’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after 20 happy years as a stay-at-home mom. Since then, her books have won numerous awards including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Deb’s 24th novel will release from Guideposts/Summerside Press Fall 2013, and she is currently working on a five-book series for Abingdon Press Fiction.

Deb enjoys teaching at writers’ conferences across the country. She and her husband, Ken Raney, recently traded small-town life in Kansas––the setting of many of Deb’s novels––for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.

Countenance can be a tell, an insight into the psyche. So it is with author Gail Sattler. She has a mischievous smile that lights her face and makes one wonder what secret she might share. Take a look at the covers of her books. They confirm her sense of play and the contents prove how her imagination spills onto the pages as she writes.

Daily, Gail juggles the roles of author, musician, mom, dog owner and lizard lover. She also loves reading good books and playing the piano for her church worship team in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Lynette Sowell is the award-winning author of over 15 titles for Barbour Publishing, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. Her fiction has been a finalist and a winner of ACFW’s Carol Award, and her weekly local newspaper column “My Front Porch” has won awards from both the Gulf Coast Press Association and Texas Press Association. When Lynette’s not writing fiction, she divides her time between editing medical reports and chasing down news stories for her local newspaper. Lynette was born in Massachusetts and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country with her husband, a pair of cats, and a Texas heeler. She loves reading, cooking, watching movies, and is always up for a road trip.

Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a Carol Award and RITA nominee of forty-five novels with almost two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad and nominations including a Career Achievement Award, Reader’s Choice Awards, Romantic Times Book of the Year, and several Romantic Times Top Picks. A proud military wife and tenth-generation Texan, she now cheers on her beloved Aggies from north of the Red River.

Fay Lamb is an acquisition editor for Pelican Book Group. She also provides freelance fiction edits.

Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Fay has recently contracted with Write Integrity Press for two four-book series. Stalking Willow, the first in the Amazing Grace romantic suspense series is currently available for purchase, and Charisse, the first release in her The Ties That Bind contemporary romance series will be available in July, 2013. The second story in the Amazing Grace series, Better than Revenge, is set for release in September 2013.

Fay is a past-secretary for American Christian Fiction Writers. She served for four years as the moderator for ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. For her volunteer efforts for ACFW, she received the Service Members Award in 2010. She was also a semi-finalist that year in the ACFW Genesis Contest.

Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren (with the sixth on the way).